Sometimes life may take a turn in a direction
we weren't prepared for... our doctor tells us we have cancer,
or we are in need of a heart transplant, or perhaps we are placed under Hospice care
as we face a terminal illness.

When we are confronted with any type of life-threatening illness, regardless
of our age, we don't always think
about taking a portrait or family photograph at that time. Our lives
may be
consumed by visits with health care professionals or social workers, lab
tests, medical treatments, and fears of the unknown.

No matter how
difficult this moment may be in your life, it is actually a moment to be
affirmed and remembered as a part of our human experience.

In these moments in our lives,
the thing to embrace is what matters most in life... our relationships,
our loved-ones, special moments that are shared. THAT is what
makes the pain or fear of serious illness a little easier to
bear.

Concept...

a free gift...

The concept is to offer a free photograph of you, or you and
your family, if
you are in this circumstance. The notion is
simple... to do this as a gift to you as a gesture of love, to
let you know that others care, and that you are not alone in
this.

Norma was a very precious lady. She had
just been placed
under Hospice care at the time of this photograph.
Norma went
on to be with the Lord on July 19, 2006.

This is Megan, a few months before her heart
transplant on June 25, 2006.
Megan's transplant was a
success and she is doing well.

Mission:

Provide free portrait photography for this moment in your
life, if you are dealing with a life-threatening illness or are
in Hospice care.

Vision:

Grow this concept into a national nonprofit
organization, networking photographers from across the United
States, to provide these free services to qualified individuals.
The idea would be for photographers to donate the photography,
and this organization to serve as a means of overseeing this
program and connecting volunteer photographers to candidates for
this free service.

A note from Kevin Gourley:

Hello, my name is Kevin Gourley.
This idea of mine for "ThisMoment.org"
is still in its infancy. I am still in the
process of sharing this idea with others, and finding
individuals who are interested in helping shape this vision
further and to transform it into a reality.

I am a
professional photographer,
but I have been involved in many community
service and non-profit activities throughout the years.

My mother died in 2005 from cancer. I took this
photo (on the right) about a year before she died. While those
final months with her were hard, I also discovered a tremendous
blessing in the time I spent with her, as our family tried to
make those final months a little easier for her. I think
Mom and I both experienced a very special blessing during that
time.

Below is something I wrote just 16 days before she died.
I want to share it here, because it really expresses my
perspective on why it is important to not take for granted
this moment in your life.

Here I sit, on my mother’s sofa, as she
sits 4 feet away in a recliner. Her eyes are closed, as she
rests. Sleep is what she does mostly now, the cancer taking
its toll. Occasionally her eyes open. She looks over and is
comforted by my presence. Not much conversation any more.
It’s just the two of us, comforted by each other’s presence.

Occasionally, she awakens and asks what day it is. I tell
her. We talk for a while, then she drifts back to sleep.
Then later, she looks up again, and tells me she loves me.
And I tell her I love her. Then her eyes are heavy again.

It hurts so much, to see my mother like this, her life
almost spent. But I am grateful for this moment. It will not
be long until I will never have the opportunity to
experience a moment like this again. And then, after that
fateful day, I am sure I will reflect back to this moment,
and yearn to return back to here, to sit next to my mother
and tell her I love her, and look into her eyes.

That thought softens the edge of the pain I feel. Yes, I am
grateful for this moment.

Perhaps we would all find greater joy in life if we were to
really reflect on what we have now, in spite of any pain we
are suffering, and thank God for the moments we’re given. We
all-too-often let these moments pass on by without thinking
or realizing the gift we’ve received.

I glance over to Mom. She’s still asleep. Rest well Mom.
Rest well.

And that is how I came up with the name for this idea... "ThisMoment.org"

Affirming LIFE:

The idea of ThisMoment.org is a means of affirming LIFE.

This is not about death or dying, AT ALL. In fact, for
many of the people served, they may well live on many
more years. But then for others, for example, those under
Hospice care, their time left may be quite short. Either
way, my hope is to use this as a way of really embracing and
honoring LIFE, as an act of GRATITUDE for each and
every moment of life, including even the harder moments we all
sometimes face.

Progress:

This idea is still in its formative stages.
It is not yet a nonprofit organization. Though I am happy
to do these free photo sessions on a very limited basis for
qualified persons, the grander idea of forming this as a
nonprofit organization is still just an idea.

So far this idea has been well-received by a wide range of
individuals. I had been discussing the concept with
health care professionals, Hospice professionals, photographers,
people with influence in the public and media, authors, and
clergy. My intent is to move slowly, until this idea
has reached a point of moving forward to the "next level".

CURRENT STATUS:

This project is currently on-hold, waiting until the time is
right to proceed with the idea.

"This Moment" Quotes:

“Life gives us brief moments with another...but sometimes in
those brief moment we get memories that last a life time...”
Author Unknown

"This moment contains all moments."
C.S. Lewis

The art of life is to live in the present moment, and to make
that moment as perfect as we can by the realization that we are
the instruments and expression of God Himself.
Emmet
Fox

Don't look back on happiness, or dream of it in the future.
You are only sure of today; do not let yourself be cheated out
of it.
Henry Ward Beecher

God exists in eternity. The only point where eternity meets
time is in the present. The present is the only time there is.
Marianne Williamson

Life is a great and wondrous mystery, and the only thing we
know that we have for sure is what is right here right now.
Don't miss it.
Leo Buscaglia

Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not
waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously,
aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.
Oprah
Winfrey

One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and
grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled
about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present,
and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.
Ida Scott Taylor

Each moment in time we have it all, even when we think we
don't.
Melody Beattie

“Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that
goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.”
Tennessee Williams